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Keyboard shortcuts for Windows

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SUMMARYThis article lists keyboard shortcuts that you can use with Windows.Back to the top | Give Feedback

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Windows system key combinations

F1: HelpCTRL+ESC: Open Start menuALT+TAB: Switch between open programsALT+F4: Quit programSHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanentlyWindows Logo+L: Lock the computer (without using CTRL+ALT+DELETE)

Windows program key combinations

CTRL+C: CopyCTRL+X: CutCTRL+V: PasteCTRL+Z: UndoCTRL+B: BoldCTRL+U: UnderlineCTRL+I: Italic

Mouse click/keyboard modifier combinations for shell objects

SHIFT+right click: Displays a shortcut menu containing alternative commandsSHIFT+double click: Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the menu)

ALT+double click: Displays propertiesSHIFT+DELETE: Deletes an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin

General keyboard-only commands

F1: Starts Windows HelpF10: Activates menu bar optionsSHIFT+F10 Opens a shortcut menu for the selected item (this is the same as right-clicking an objectCTRL+ESC: Opens the Start menu (use the ARROW keys to select an item)CTRL+ESC or ESC: Selects the Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press SHIFT+F10for a context menu)CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Opens Windows Task ManagerALT+DOWN ARROW: Opens a drop-down list boxALT+TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key toview the task-switching window)SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the automatic-runfeatureALT+SPACE: Displays the main window's System menu (from the System menu, you can restore,move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window)ALT+- (ALT+hyphen): Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window's System menu(from the MDI child window's System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, orclose the child window)CTRL+TAB: Switch to the next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) programALT+underlined letter in menu: Opens the menuALT+F4: Closes the current windowCTRL+F4: Closes the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) windowALT+F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when the NotepadFind dialog box is displayed, ALT+F6 switches between the Find dialog box and the main Notepadwindow)

Shell objects and general folder/Windows Explorer shortcuts

For a selected object:

F2: Rename objectF3: Find all filesCTRL+X: CutCTRL+C: CopyCTRL+V: PasteSHIFT+DELETE: Delete selection immediately, without moving the item to the Recycle BinALT+ENTER: Open the properties for the selected object

To copy a file

Press and hold down the CTRL key while you drag the file to another folder.

To create a shortcut

Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag a file to the desktop or a folder.

General folder/shortcut control

F4: Selects the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if the toolbar isactive in Windows Explorer)F5: Refreshes the current window.F6: Moves among panes in Windows ExplorerCTRL+G: Opens the Go To Folder tool (in Windows 95 Windows Explorer only)CTRL+Z: Undo the last commandCTRL+A: Select all the items in the current windowBACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folderSHIFT+click+Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folders

Windows Explorer tree control

Numeric Keypad *: Expands everything under the current selectionNumeric Keypad +: Expands the current selectionNumeric Keypad -: Collapses the current selection.RIGHT ARROW: Expands the current selection if it is not expanded, otherwise goes to the first childLEFT ARROW: Collapses the current selection if it is expanded, otherwise goes to the parent

Properties control

CTRL+TAB/CTRL+SHIFT+TAB: Move through the property tabs

Accessibility shortcuts

Press SHIFT five times: Toggles StickyKeys on and offPress down and hold the right SHIFT key for eight seconds: Toggles FilterKeys on and offPress down and hold the NUM LOCK key for five seconds: Toggles ToggleKeys on and offLeft ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK: Toggles MouseKeys on and offLeft ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN: Toggles high contrast on and off

Microsoft Natural Keyboard keys

Windows Logo: Start menuWindows Logo+R: Run dialog boxWindows Logo+M: Minimize allSHIFT+Windows Logo+M: Undo minimize allWindows Logo+F1: HelpWindows Logo+E: Windows ExplorerWindows Logo+F: Find files or foldersWindows Logo+D: Minimizes all open windows and displays the desktopCTRL+Windows Logo+F: Find computerCTRL+Windows Logo+TAB: Moves focus from Start, to the Quick Launch toolbar, to the system tray(use RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW to move focus to items on the Quick Launch toolbar and thesystem tray)Windows Logo+TAB: Cycle through taskbar buttonsWindows Logo+Break: System Properties dialog boxApplication key: Displays a shortcut menu for the selected item

Microsoft Natural Keyboard with IntelliType software installed

Windows Logo+L: Log off Windows

Windows Logo+P: Starts Print ManagerWindows Logo+C: Opens Control PanelWindows Logo+V: Starts ClipboardWindows Logo+K: Opens Keyboard Properties dialog boxWindows Logo+I: Opens Mouse Properties dialog boxWindows Logo+A: Starts Accessibility Options (if installed)Windows Logo+SPACEBAR: Displays the list of Microsoft IntelliType shortcut keysWindows Logo+S: Toggles CAPS LOCK on and off

Dialog box keyboard commands

TAB: Move to the next control in the dialog boxSHIFT+TAB: Move to the previous control in the dialog boxSPACEBAR: If the current control is a button, this clicks the button. If the current control is a checkbox, this toggles the check box. If the current control is an option, this selects the option.ENTER: Equivalent to clicking the selected button (the button with the outline)ESC: Equivalent to clicking the Cancel buttonALT+underlined letter in dialog box item: Move to the corresponding item

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PropertiesArticle ID: 126449 - Last Review: September 23, 2011 - Revision: 5.0

APPLIES TO

Windows Server 2008 DatacenterWindows Server 2008 EnterpriseWindows Server 2008 StandardMicrosoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 EditionMicrosoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based SystemsMicrosoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 EditionMicrosoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)Microsoft Windows 2000 ServerMicrosoft Windows 95Windows Vista BusinessWindows Vista EnterpriseWindows Vista Home BasicWindows Vista Home PremiumWindows Vista StarterWindows Vista UltimateMicrosoft Windows XP Home EditionMicrosoft Windows XP ProfessionalMicrosoft Windows XP Starter EditionMicrosoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Windows 7 EnterpriseWindows 7 Home BasicWindows 7 Home PremiumWindows 7 ProfessionalWindows 7 StarterWindows 7 Ultimate

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